Naomi Watts 'Wanted to Say No' To Playing Princess Diana

The British Royals have catapulted into the international spotlight in a major way lately, between Prince William and Kate Middleton's wedding last year and Queen Elizabeth's Diamond Jubilee this year. The streak is guaranteed to continue into next year, at least: they're headed to Hollywood next.

Naomi Watts is set to play Princess Diana in Caught In Flight, a film centered around Diana's last two years of life and her secret relationship with heart surgeon Dr. Hasnat Khan. Watts, speaking at the speaking at a British wine launch last night, said she was "absolutely terrified" of the role. "The filmmakers came to me and it's a good script and it's very scary and I kind of wanted to say no but I couldn't," Watts continued. "Now I'm doing all the research and there is so much to read ... There is so much information and one story is different from the next so it's hard to gauge what was the truth."

So 2013: the year of the British Royals on film. Unless William and Kate announce a pregnancy, that is.

A Part of Hearst Digital Media
ELLE participates in various affiliate marketing programs, which means we may get paid commissions on editorially chosen products purchased through our links to retailer sites.